The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-17
The Step-Son of Stephen W. Rawson Takes a
Terrible Revenge for Many Alleged Insults
and Wrongs Heaped Upon His Mother.
Fires Five Balls Into the MilliOnaire'S
Body, Inficting Mortal Wounds.
Mr.. Rawson Still Alive, with but Very Faint
Hope Of His Recovery-The Mother Ap-
proves the Deed Committed by Her Son.
A STARTLING TRAGEDY.
Chicago Millionaire Shot and Fatally
Wounded by His Step-Son.

n TRAGEDY.
A Chicago Millionaire Shot and Fatally
Wounded by His Step-Son.
CHICAGO, Oct 16.-In q throng Of people at
the church door at one of the most fashionable
congregations in Chicago, ay-haired million
aire bank president was remorselessly shot
down to-day by his step-son to avenge shield
a woman charged with continued adultery.
the woman was no less person than Mrs.
Beckie Rawson, wife of the banker shot and
mother of the assailant The banker is Stephen
w. Rawson. president of the Union Trust Com
pany, of Chicago and William Lee, aged seven
teen, is the s,ep-son. Banker Rawson. with
five bullets in his body and apparently in a
dying condition. hastily picked off the
blood spattered curb, and bundled in.o one Of
the score of carriages that had been waiting for
the wealthy worshipers. Young Lee. with
empty but still smoking revolver in hand. was
as hurriedly thrown into q strikingly
different conveyance, the blue painted,
commonplace wagon of the nearest patrol,
that came rattling around the corner. Away
went the carriage in direction; off in the
other dashed the patrol. while around on the
streets and sidewalks gaped the horrorstricken
attendants of the five great churches in the vi
cinity just pouring out after the mornings praise
of Him who commanded Thou shalt not kill"
Thou shalt not commit adultery" Slowly
the crowds began to recover their dazed senses
and recall in detail the fearful circumstances of
the crime Young Lee had been seen for half
an hour previous pacing the stone side
walk on Ashland avenue. near Madison.
fronting the Third Presbyterian Church.
This is the church of which DR.. Withrow, re-
Gently of Boston, is pastor. and which became
Il ly~n %AA - nu
now located in New York. OF this church
banker Rawson has long been leading light,
and was still an honored member. notwithstand-
ing that he had been charged by his wife with
perjury and other offenses enough to make him.
if true, a veritable whited sepulcher. He. on the
other hand, alleged that she. although promi-
nent in society and a beautiful woman in appear
ance. was really disreputable blasphemous.
devilish-tempered adventures. who coveted
only his money. For year more the two
have been fighting each other in the divorce
courts, and within a week the banker has filed
against her additional chArt.es of adultery.
Little attention had been paid to young Lee,
as he stalked backward and forward past the
church entrance. He was lost in the crowd
when the gayly ydressed congregation began to
come out among them the we'll known form of
the bank president. Mr. Rawson was about to
step to his carriage, when, breaking the sweet
majestic tones of the great organ. came the
sharp crack of a revolver, followed by deep
groan. An earthquake could scarcely have
produced more confusion at the moment among
the throngs of gentlemen, ladies aud children.
and the long tiers of carriages and coachmen
that lined the sidewalks in every direction.
A din of screams began, but sub
sided almost instantly. Slender, we'll
dressed. youthful Lee was to quickly
but coolly steady his shining pistol with his left
hand. while with his right he again and again
pulled the fatal trigger. With the stit1ed cry,
I'm killed." the aged millionaire fell prostrate
on the stone flags, upturnng his agonizsd white
face at the cold. set countenance of his step-son
Not till the last Of the FIVE chambers had been
emptiee into the old mans body did Lee seem to
breathe The crowd seemed rooted to the
stones in horror, helpless, till policeman came
running to the scene. Then began wild
clamor, and Lee turning to the officer. hoarsely
whispered "Take me to JAIL quick 1t seemed
scarcely moment till the patrol wagon bore
him away.
When the dying banker reachsd his home. six
physicians had been called. They probed for
the bullets, and found that all had lodged in the
legs or arms save one which entered near the
small of the back, and. as nearly could be
Judged had plunged through his abdomen. If
his life was saved it would be little short of
miracle.
over at the police station. young Lee was
asking a reporter to carry Mrs. Rawson. his
the Continental Hotel The reporter sent up
word that he had extremely important business,
and was presented without delay a plump,
dark k-complexioned, handsome woman in the
prime of life, the most noticeable feature of
whom was pair of swapping black eyes. She
was clad in a tasteful. tight-ftting dark dress
and white jacket
.'Well what business have your said she.
.Then, you have heard nothing of your son''
mo; what is itY'
s.Well, he has got into q little trouble. He"
$50 on. What has he doneW
swell. he is arrested. He had some trouble
with Mr.. Rawson."
"Go on and tell me what he has DONE Don't
keep me in suspense" eagerly broke in the
s.He shot him-but it isn't serious" quickly
added the reporter. as Mrs. Rawson closed her
eyes and trembled with excitement. The last
portion of the sentence caused Mrs Rawson's
eyeds to raise. and she brought her head mp
with q jerk.
.'Oh don't be alarmed. am all right Go
on and tell me all
THAT is about all. He shot him several
tirnes and"
us he dead2" eagerly broke in the woman
again.
mo. but he is probably fatally injured. He
cannot recover from his wounds
Then there was a pause The reporter stood
and looked at Mrs Rawson, while she coolly re-
turned his look in inquiry with a slight sneer on
her dark, handsome face.
"Well," she calmly and haughtily calculated,
sis there anything more2"
In a posture of graceful Incidence she leaned
against dressing case and watched the reporter
while he collecting his thoughts. She
looked positively sleepy.
81 would like to ask you W hat you have to
say about it, the young man fnally replied;
what do you think it was done fors"
In an instant Mrs. Rawson transformed.
Her black eyes flashed the FIRE of deadly hatred.
and she seemed to culver from head to foot.
What do l think of itq" she cried. II am
glad of it. He deserved it." She stopped just
long enough catch her breath. What was
il done for? Because Rawson has made me out
on the streets to be public prostitute. I'll
stand by the boy" she cried. raising her arm
with dramatic gesture. HE did more
than any boy would do. He Is the of his
mother" Then she began to pace to and fro
over the heavily y-carpeted floor. Il intended to
DO il myself" she exclaimed, suddenly stopping
in the middle of the room.
Ibid your son know of your intentionsa"
She turned a wicked look on her questioner,
and said sharply. II do not know. He might
have known it. lie surely knew he deserved IT,"
Then she grew hungry for more details of the
bloody deed. She inquired where he was shot